First of all, I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Although it did rain in the morning, it really wasn’t that bad of a day since temperatures were quite mild. The mild air is being swept out to sea as a weak low pressure area and its associated cold front move offshore this morning. There was some light rain overnight. Skies will gradually clear later on as high pressure builds in from the west. Temperatures will be on the chilly side this weekend as gusty northwesterly winds bring colder air into the region. Temperatures will moderate early next week and by mid-week, we should have temperatures well above normal. An approaching low pressure system is expected to bring us unsettled conditions by Tuesday or Wednesday.

The relentless drought in the interior Southeastern States is expected to ease somewhat this week as the aforementioned low pressure system is most likely going to bring a significant amount of rainfall to parts of that region. This should help firefighters as they have been battling the forest/wild fires for weeks now.

Hurricane Otto, which developed in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea, moved westward into Central America. Nicaragua was especially hard hit. The Atlantic Hurricane Season ends on November 30th.

The average high temperature for Norfolk is around 60 degrees at this time of year and we are going to be well above that today (Saturday). High temperatures may reach into the upper 70’s in some areas of SE VA today! Winds will be light at first but they will slowly increase as a cold front approaches from the west late this afternoon and evening. After the frontal passage, winds will increase rapidly and gusts could exceed 40 MPH in some areas, especially north of our area. Not much rain is expected with the frontal passage, but there could be shower in spots. Sunday will be a blustery day with temperatures not getting much above 50 degrees! Some snow is expected in parts of the Great Lakes region and the Northeast on Sunday as the cold air moves across the relatively warm Great Lakes behind the low pressure area that will be moving through that region. Monday will be another very cool and breezy day here across Hampton Roads. As we head into the mid-week period, temperatures should slowly moderate. A low pressure system approaching from the west may bring some showers on Thanksgiving Day. As it looks now, travelers on Wednesday should have a decent day to travel here in the southern Mid-Atlantic States.

Weather headlines in other parts of the nation include a blizzard that moved across the Plains States the past few days. The extreme drought conditions in parts of the inland Southeastern States are resulting in numerous wild/forest fires. Unfortunately, not much rain, if any, is expected in that region for the next few days.

As far as the tropics are concerned, there is an area of concern in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea. Forecasters have been saying that there is a 50% chance that a tropical cyclone will develop over the next several days. We’re reaching the end of hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin. It ends on November 30th.

A cold front will be crossing the Mid Atlantic States later today ushering in much colder air. Some portions of Virginia are expected to get their first hard freeze of the season. The front is not expected to produce any significant precipitation to Hampton Roads. Northerly winds will get quite gusty behind the front. On Saturday, temperatures probably won’t get out of the low fifties. Temperatures will moderate early next week. Then, on Monday, a low pressure system is expected to approach from the southwest. Computer models are not agreeing on how much (if any) rain will fall here locally. Some keep most of the deeper moisture offshore while others bring more significant rainfall closer to the region. The low pressure will move away towards mid-week and we should see a return to dry, seasonal weather.

On this Veteran’s Day, please take time out to remember our veterans and the sacrifices they have made as well as their families.

A cold front moved through the Mid-Atlantic States Thursday night bringing a period of rain/showers to the Hampton Roads region. I picked up just under a half inch of rain in my backyard. This frontal passage dropped temperatures from the record the record warmth on Thursday to more seasonal conditions on Friday. We’re in a pattern now that looks dry for the most part with near normal temperatures. This weekend will be great for most outdoor activities including raking leaves. The forecast for the week ahead looks dry. However, it appears that a change in the weather pattern may bring unsettled weather by the weekend, but it’s too early for any details.

Don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time ends tonight, which means that the clocks go back one hour. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep!